Take two: Tedesco primed to return after season to forget

Michael Chammas, Jon Tuxworth

WESTS TIGERS fullback James Tedesco will play his first game of rugby league on Saturday night since his season-ending knee injury in round one last year.

The promising rookie was left shattered after he was carried from the field after 30 minutes of his NRL debut against Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval.

New Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter has named the 20-year-old at fullback for his return in a trial match on Friday night against Penrith in Bathurst.

Barring injury, Tim Moltzen will start the year in the No.1 jersey for the Tigers, although Tedesco is applying plenty of pressure.

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''Those two will be fighting it out,'' skipper Robbie Farah said. The Western Suburbs junior enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top after starring for the Magpies in the SG Ball and the Tigers in the National Youth Competition in 2011.

Tedesco headlines the host of rookies in a 23-man squad, which also includes promising halfback Luke Brooks, prop Mosese Fotuaika and winger David Nofoaluma, as well as new recruit Bodene Thompson.

''We've seen at training that when guys are competing for positions, it brings out the best in others and keeps them on their toes,'' Farah said.

''You know if you're not at your best there's someone at your heels. We've got Curtis Sironen, Luke Brooks and Mitch Moses - there's a lot of depth in the halves and a lot of talent. We need someone to put their hand up and take ownership there.''

Meanwhile, Canberra coach David Furner will unleash the club's young guns against Melbourne in Geelong on Friday, with the Raiders set to be without up to 11 of its top-liners.

And boom outside back Edrick Lee wants to capitalise by proving he is capable of making the step up from wing to centre in first grade this season.

Six Raiders will feature in Saturday's All Stars clash,and injuries have also ruled out senior players Terry Campese, Brett White, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Glen Buttriss, meaning the Raiders will field a virtual second string line-up.

Lock Shaun Fensom may also withdraw after he suffered a minor left ankle sprain during Friday's opposed session, and didn't train on Monday.

Furner had hoped to field his best available line-up against the Storm, and said Canberra's representation in the All Stars clash was ''unfair''.

But the upside is it will force him to expose several Raiders rookies against a quality side.

Canberra is set to announce a 23 or 24-man squad on Tuesday, which will include youngsters Lee, Paul Vaughan, Sam Sauiluma, Shannon Boyd and Hayden Hodge.

Dynamic halves Mitch Cornish and Anthony Milford, who guided the Raiders to last year's under-20 grand final, will also get plenty of game time.